My honest HiiKER review after testing Pro on desktop and iPhone
Plan routes, download maps for offline use and send GPX files to a compatible GPS device.
The offer applies to the annual PRO+ membership. Check the linked purchase page for the current price and terms.
Disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I was given access to HiiKER Pro to test the app, but the opinions and comparisons below are my own.
My verdict: HiiKER is one of the easiest hiking apps I have used for planning a route, downloading it for offline use and exporting a GPX file to my Garmin watch. Outdooractive remains the app I use most often because it offers more depth for bigger European mountain routes, but HiiKER is exceptionally user-friendly and provides the core tools most walkers actually need.
| Version tested | HiiKER Pro |
| Devices tested | Desktop computer and iPhone |
| Features tested | Route planning, offline maps and GPX export |
| GPS device | Garmin watch |
| Best feature | Its clean, straightforward interface |
| Main limitation | A smaller route library and community than Outdooractive and AllTrails |
| Current WMW offer | 30% off an annual HiiKER PRO+ membership |
Is the HiiKER app any good?
Yes. I tested HiiKER rather than changing over to it permanently, as Outdooractive is still the platform I normally use. However, I gave HiiKER a proper real-world test: I planned a walking route on my computer, downloaded the map to my iPhone, used it offline and exported the GPX file to my Garmin watch for navigation.
Everything worked as it should, and the whole process was remarkably straightforward. In fact, for those core jobs, HiiKER may be more user-friendly than the larger alternatives.
What is HiiKER?
HiiKER is a hiking app and website that helps walkers discover routes, create their own walks, view mapping and elevation information, download maps and work with GPX files. You can plan on a larger desktop screen and then use the route on your phone or a compatible GPS device.
Its greatest strength is that the main tools are presented clearly. You do not have to fight through a complicated interface simply to plot a walk and get it onto the device you carry outdoors.
How I tested HiiKER Pro
I used HiiKER Pro on both my computer and iPhone while planning and testing a route in Wales. Although I already knew the walk, that made it a useful test: I could concentrate on how accurately and easily the app handled the route rather than relying on it blindly in an unfamiliar location.
- I plotted the route on my computer.
- I downloaded the map for offline use on my iPhone.
- I exported the GPX file.
- I transferred the GPX file to my Garmin watch.
- I used the route for guidance while walking.
The route planning, download and transfer process all worked perfectly. That ease of use is the biggest reason I would recommend HiiKER to somebody who finds more feature-heavy apps intimidating.
Route planning and GPX export
Planning my own route was simple on the desktop website. I could plot the walk, check its shape and then export it as a GPX file. I sent that file to my Garmin watch and it guided me around without a problem.
This is a valuable feature for walkers who prefer to navigate from a watch or dedicated GPS unit rather than continually checking a phone. A GPX route remains a guide rather than a guarantee that every path is safe or accessible, so you should still assess the conditions and carry an appropriate backup.
Using HiiKER offline
I downloaded the mapping to my iPhone before setting off and tested it without relying on a mobile signal. The download was easy and the map worked perfectly during my test.
That is important in Wales and other mountainous areas where reception can disappear quickly. Download the correct area before leaving home and make sure your phone has sufficient charge. Offline mapping is helpful, but it should not replace sensible preparation or the ability to deal with a phone or battery failure.
Affiliate link: the live purchase page will show the current annual price and offer terms.
HiiKER versus Outdooractive and AllTrails
I have personally used all three platforms. They overlap, but each has a slightly different strength:
| App | My experience |
|---|---|
| HiiKER | Possibly the easiest of the three for planning a route, downloading it and exporting a GPX file. |
| Outdooractive | My regular choice. It offers greater depth and additional information that I have found useful for larger European mountain walks. |
| AllTrails | A much larger community and route library, which is helpful when discovering popular walks and seeing other users’ experiences. |
HiiKER’s smaller community means fewer uploaded walks, photographs and user reviews than you may find on the two larger platforms. However, if your priority is a clean planning experience and straightforward offline navigation, that smaller scale does not prevent it from doing the important jobs very well.
How much does HiiKER cost?
HiiKER provides different levels of access, including paid membership options. Prices, plan names and included features can change, so I recommend checking the purchase page rather than relying on a figure that may become outdated.
Through my affiliate link, readers can currently receive 30% off an annual HiiKER PRO+ membership. Confirm the displayed reduction and final price on the HiiKER checkout page before purchasing.
HiiKER pros and cons
What I liked
- Very clean and user-friendly route planner.
- Easy map downloads for offline use.
- Simple GPX export and Garmin transfer.
- Works across desktop and iPhone.
- Provides the core features most walkers need.
What could be better
- Smaller community than Outdooractive and AllTrails.
- Fewer existing walks, user photographs and reviews.
- Less depth for major European mountain routes than I get from Outdooractive.
My final HiiKER review
HiiKER worked extremely well throughout my test. I planned a route on my computer, downloaded it to my iPhone, used the mapping offline and exported the GPX file to my Garmin watch without any difficulty.
I still use Outdooractive more regularly, particularly when planning bigger hikes in Europe, and both Outdooractive and AllTrails benefit from larger communities. Nevertheless, HiiKER may be the most approachable of the three. I would happily recommend it to walkers who want capable navigation and route-planning tools without an unnecessarily complicated experience.
Want to try the full HiiKER experience?
Get 30% off an annual PRO+ membership.
HiiKER app FAQs
Is the HiiKER app any good?
Yes. During my test, its route planner, offline mapping and GPX export all worked perfectly. Its greatest strength is how easy it is to use.
Does HiiKER work without a mobile signal?
It did during my test after I downloaded the required map to my iPhone in advance. Always complete the download and check it before leaving an area with reception.
Can I plan my own route with HiiKER?
Yes. I planned a custom walking route using HiiKER on my computer and found the process clean and straightforward.
Can I export a GPX file from HiiKER?
Yes. I exported my planned route as a GPX file and transferred it to my Garmin watch successfully.
Does HiiKER work on an iPhone?
Yes. I personally tested it on an iPhone as well as using the desktop platform for route planning.
Is HiiKER better than AllTrails?
It depends on your priorities. I found HiiKER particularly easy for route planning and GPX work, while AllTrails has a larger community and more user-submitted walks and reviews.
Is HiiKER better than Outdooractive?
HiiKER may be easier for a new user to learn. I still use Outdooractive more often because its additional depth is useful for some larger European mountain routes.
What is the main disadvantage of HiiKER?
Its community and existing route library are currently smaller than those of Outdooractive and AllTrails, so there can be fewer user reviews and photographs.
Is there a HiiKER discount code?
My affiliate purchase link currently provides 30% off the annual HiiKER PRO+ membership. Check the live purchase page to confirm the current offer and final price.
Should I rely only on a hiking app for navigation?
No. Download maps in advance, carry enough battery power and use an appropriate backup for the terrain. A plotted route also does not guarantee that every path will be safe or accessible in the current conditions.